MacMurray, Knox begin traveling soccer competition

MacMurray College and Knox College have agreed to an annual contest between the two school’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, with the winner taking home the traveling Ferris Trophy each year.

“The MacMurray College Athletic Department is tremendously excited about the long-term agreement with Knox to play both women’s and men’s soccer,” said Athletic Director Dane Pavlovich. “This agreement gives our student-athletes the opportunity to play top-notch competition outside of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games,” he explained. “Playing for a trophy, no matter the time of the year or opponent, is something that we believe our student-athletes and coaching staff will look forward to.”

The name of the trophy was selected because of the connections the two towns have to the iconic Ferris Wheel. George Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, is a native of Galesburg, and his family was instrumental in founding the town and Knox College. In Jacksonville, the Eli Bridge Company, which first made a portable version in 1900, is the longest producer of Ferris Wheels and still makes the popular amusement ride.

The first matchup for the Ferris Trophy will be Sept. 19 in Jacksonville. It will move to Knox in 2013 and will alternate home fields each year. “We are excited to begin this new challenge with Knox,” said Shane Taylor, coach of the MacMurray men’s and women’s teams. “This match will not only be a special event to look forward to each year, but it will also help prepare our student-athletes for conference post-season play.”

Knox and MacMurray began talks of establishing a traveling trophy competition last year, after Illinois College ended the annual Mayor’s Cup competition after its 25th contest. The annual matchup between the cross-town rivals began in 1986.